Tunnel or conduit lining



ROURKE TUNNEL OR CONDUIT LINING Nov. 29, 1932.

Filed Dec. 16, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Io/m F afiourke. BY

ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1932. J. F. OROURKE TUNNEL OR CONDUIT LINING Filed Dec. 16', 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 e 3 TR m0 vF m n M J BY 7. 265mm 1 ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1932. J. F. OROURKE 1,889,563

TUNNEL 0R CONDUIT LINING Filed Dec. 16, 1930 5 sheets-sheet 5 BY OTQBM ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1932. J. F. OROURKE TUNNEL OR CONDUIT LINING Filed Dec. 16, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN'TOR Ja/m E 0/?oarke.

ATTORNEY ROURKE TUNNEL 0R CONDUIT LINING J. F. C)

Nov. 29, 1932.

Filed Dec. 16, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 XNVENII'OR JZ/In F Ufiourke.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 29, 1932 comrr. onooiexn, or vonx, N. v]

mun-man B mmwme g n w nmea ne ner16,1930. Seria1R0-502fi59 i Y In the construction o inter ock ng co icrete-block tunnels it is of practical importance that the lines of projections and recesses of the blocks be spaced eqllal'lyapart sot at ea h ring, aserect d, may break joints w th the previousvlin nd that the projections shallfit into the corresponding. recesses of the joints. between the rings. has been ,done. by spacing theprojections andr'ecesses neach b ock the theoretical equal-distan e by having the blocks of Such equallengths each wayfrom the middle of t e b ock, an

that the distancefifrom the projectionsand re- VI cesses of adjoining blocks to the centre line of the joint between themshall equal the space between the projections and recesses on the blocks. This necessitat sblocks of uniformdimensions when the longitudinal joints e dial and are called stan d o k Where longitudinalljoints arenot radial, as

hereinafter described; the length along a middle arc is approximately the same as that of a standardblock along the same are; The ings are erect d so th t. he proje ion ar on the barkward side of the -rings and fit" into the re e se on the f rward side -e c joining previou ring. .7

lnijthe er ct o v fncre e lock tunnel ringstwo methods have been used for closing the rings, By one method akey .block is pushed radiallyoutward into 'a space between two set blocks, theplanes of whose end joints are at such at angle to one another that ,,a

wedge shaped opening is formed between them which wider onthe inside of the ring than on the outside. The concrete key block endjoints are at a similarangle with each other sothat when the key hlockis'set in place it leaves an open jointlbetween itself and each adjoining" block which 'closes the ring when these are shimmed. This has been donewith corrugated steel plates, as shown in] the drawings. "These corrugated shims are further shown and explainedin'my patent application; Serial #400,108. The advantages of these shims are that they takeup the arch stresses andvat :the same time permit free flow of grout untila'll' the joints "are filled with mortar from the grout. {The anglesoi these joints oft he concrete key blocks as heretofore used the manner described are symmetrical with the middle axis "of the key block, the same as the angles v oflongitudinal joints of symmetrical keystones of stone arches, Concrete block rings closed in this wayrequire three difierent special blocks in addition to the uniform or standardblocks composing the remainder of; the ring so that four different kinds of block moulds are required, varying in size and 'form, which, with the difficulties of separate moi llding, separating the blocks in diiierent piles for storage,

andselecting the proper blocks for each ring as they are taken into'the tunnel for erection, (adds to thecomplexity andcost of'the work.

Moreover, no concrete block tunnels built in this way, sofar as I amaware have ever had efficient independent means -within-the key 'blockto hold it-from falling out of the ring,

without-outsidesupport; prior to its being held in place by compressive arch stresses afterlthe ring takes the Weight of the overlying ground. v i

The other method of closing concrete block rings consists in having'the ringscom'p'osed entirely ,of standard blocks, including the closing block, iwhic-h latter is takenfforward by theerector into the space forthe next rmg, swung up opposite its intended position v in the ring,

and t ion backed'intoits position in the ring where it is supportedand shimmed. In this case, also, no efficient means has been provided within the closing block to hold it rigidlyinplace and .to positively close up the blocks of the ring against the shims in the joints prior to the ring taking up the arch stresses after-being loaded" with the weight of the surroundinggroundj This method of closing the ring requires the use of an erector having independent longitudinal *motion. I In the case of shield driven tunnels a dummv block isset and wedged in thespace left for the key bloc'lgto "close the ring before the shield is shoved; from which dummy block the shield jacks are shoved, the same as from other blocks of the ring; in moving the shield forwardto make room in its tail for the next ring. After-the shield is shoved and space is thus provided-for the next ring the dummyhlock is removed; and the-erector carries forward a standard concrete block into the space for the next ring and places it in position to complete a ring as described. The objections to this method of closing a ring in shield driven tunnels are the increased cost and complexity of the erector platform and of the erector, and the additional time required to erect and remove a dummy block and then to set the key block in place. In cases where the tunneling is done without a'shield and each ring as erected supports the ground, the removal of the dummy block and substitution of a standard block after is cavation for the next ring is completed presents a serious problem of holding the overlying ground where it tends to fall when unsupported during the substitution in the ring of a standard block for the dummy block as a key block.

In accordance with my invention one of the standard blocks of a-ring is omitted, leaving a space which a standard block would fill. The closingof the ring is completed by in- FGlLlllg in said space what is in effect a standard block, which may be moulded in two parts in a standard block mould, said parts being successively inserted radially. T he two parts have an oblique angle joint between them. The part in which the outside length is greater than that of the inside is first erected and held in place in the usual manner. The key block part with its outer side slightly shorter than the inner side is next pushed into place by the erector to close the ring, where it may be supported and shimm'ed in much the same manner as is done when full length special blocks are used to close the ring, as in the first method described.

When it is desired to have uniformity of appearance in the pointing of joints inside of a tunnel, which could not be done with the oblique oints described, the joint made radial for a short distance in from the inside surface of the tunnel. These joints would be uniform in appearance with the other joints of the ring both before and after the pointing.

In carrying out one of the modifications of my invention I provide the inner end of the joint between the key-block parts with a tapered recess along the edge of the joint, which adds to the width of opening through which the key block is shoved into position by the erector. This recess performs two functions: the reduction of the obliquity of the joint and the enlargement of the joint between the blocks for the necessary distance inward to facilitate entering the pointing mortar in the joint and also the locking of it into the joint by the inward taper. I may also provide a recess in the joints at the outer side of the tunnel to contain means for excluding gravel packing or v round from entering the joint before said, oint has been grouted or otherwise filled up. It is obvious that similar length maybe forced, so as to bring the blocks into close relation with the blocks on each side of them, at tne same time firmly clamping them together.

This means of wedgii l wedge keywa the closure through a suitaoie can be done great advantage when the key lock, like all the other blocks in the ring, is 1 standardblock. Inv the erection of rings composed entirely of standard bloc {E}, as shown in Fi 20 a wedge lieyway is moulded at one end or the key block of each ring by means of which they are wedged tightly in place ag st the radial joints of the adjoining blOChS. This pressure in turn ccinnnin ed to all the other blocks of the rin s adi 7.1g the effect of their wei it in bi g them into close relation to the; w is obvious that two or more wedge l-ceyways can be proesp ive shims.

7 vided at one end of the key blocks and that one or more keyuwiys can be provided at each end of ie key blocks and that one or more, wedge can be provided 311 the ends of other blocks of the rin and that wedge we oinui blocks may on I 2 be 'awings, wherein ing C F 1 a face View a bodying my invention; Fig.

l'ey-bloclc of F the oint face view of the two pa rt 1; Fig. 3 a similar view showi1i etween the block parts as re l l distance from the inner, sit.

g id: "by

view of the he modification; i G is r i,

block parts sh wn in Fig. l; i i. 7

larged pnfspeetive ew of the key block parts of Fig i; Fig. 8 is a view substantially similar to 7, illustrating corrugit i .int between lh 7 shims in the j. [block parts: Fig. 9 is a plan view of a mold for the standard blocks; Fig. 10 is a similar view. idinL jpint between the key-block'parts in Fig. 3; *ig. 14 illustrates the mould-division plate for the pint between the key-block parts in Fig. 4.; Fig. "15 illustrates the mould plate for blocks as in Fig. 5:; Fig. 161s a detail sectional view through a key-block joint, illustrating recesses containing a wedge Fig. 17 is a similar View, illustrating amodi-' ficat-ion; Fig. 18 is a section on line 18, 18 in Fig. 16 illustrating wedges between the keyblock parts Fig. 19 is a similar view illustrat= ing a single wedge; Fig. 20 is a face view of a portion of a concrete block tunnel ring comprising uniform-length standard blocks,

the standard block for closing the ring hav ing a wedge keyway and wedge atone end of the block and corrugatedsteel shims in the joint at the other end of the block; Fig. 21 is an enlarged plan view of part of Fig. 20 and adjoining ring, and Figs. 22, 23 and 24 are enlarged sections on lines '22, 22, 23, 23, and 24', 24 respectively, in Fig. 21.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in'the several views.

The numeral 1 indicates standard blocks for the rings of a tunnel, subway or conduit lining. The blocks 1 illustrated are of well known form and comprise moulded concrete. Said blocks have spaced recesses 2'in one face and correspondingly spaced projections 8 on the reverse face. The rings are "usually erected with the recesses 2 facing forwardly to receivethe projections 3 extending rearwardly from the next ring erected, ina well known way. he rings are usually set so that the blocks of one ring will break joints with the blocks of the rings on opposite sides thereof. In the example illustrated in Fig. 1 a tunnel ring includes a suiiicient number of standard blocks 1 to nearly complete the ring, one of such blocks being omitted providinga space A between certain blocks 1 to receive one of my improved key-blocks 4:, which comprises block parts 4a and 4b, to complete the ring. The outer ends of all the blocks are shown radial and the inner or meeting ends 4, 4;, of the key block parts 4a and 4?) are at angle oblique to the radial ends thereof, as indicated at the joint, 5, that is oblique to a plane lying in the longitudinal axis of the ring and intersecting said joint. The overall length of the key-block parts is substantially the same "as a standard block, whereby when a required number of standard blocks have been erected, with .a space A be tween the end blocks of the'series, the keyblock parts will properly fit in said space.

The outside length of the key-block part 456 is greaterthan the length of its inside, and the outside length of the key-block part 4?) is less than the length of its inside part.

After the series of standard blocks, for a ring, have been erected, with a space between the end blocks, the key-block'part 4a is erected in said space, with'its radial end adjacent to the mould into two spaced known way. The construction described is advantageous in that it overcomes the previous requirements of an ere'ctor for the keyblocks having an independent longitudinal movement to insert *backwardly the last block of a ring into the space provided for it after having swung such block outwardly within the space to be occupied by the next ring to be erected in front of where it is to be set, since merely the vertical movement of the erector is required with, my improved 'keyblock 4?) to place it in thespace between the block part 4a-and the adjacent standard block without delay and before a space in which to erect the next ring is provided, (Fig. 1). The dimensions of the two block parts 4a and 4b are such that the recesses 2 in one face and the projections 3 on the reverse face are spaced apart, when the key-block is in the ring, substantially the same distance as the recesses 2 and the projections Son the standard blocks 1, whereby as each ring is erected the projections 3 will enter the recesses 2 of the ring previously erected. By preference the blocks are so placed in a ring being erected as to break joints with the blocks in the pre viously erected ring. The oblique joint between the block parts 1a and 16 may be filled with mortar or grout in a usual way, as indicated at 6 in Figs. 7 and 8. Shims 27 are shown in the joint '5 betweenthe block parts 1a,4b,in Fig. 8. i

A mould suitable for making the standard blocks 1 and the block parts 4a and 4b, of the samegeneral dimensions for a' given ring,

mould shown comprises a bottom 7 having spaced recesses at 8 for the production of the projections 3 of the blocks, spaced side walls 9, and end walls 10, with'an open top. Cores 11, to produce'the recesses 2 of the blocks, are suspendedover the mould by cross bars 12, secured to the cores and to the mould. The mould, as shown in Fig. 9, will produce the standard blocks 1 by pouring concrete into the mould in a well known way. The same mould may be used to produce the keybl'ock parts is and 45 by placing a division plate 13, in the mould, set at an oblique angle to the length of the mould, to divide portions, as indicated in Figs. 10 and11. The bottom of the division plate 13 is shown provided with projections 14.to enter 'holes in the mold botis illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. The

blocks. The plate 13 has a top cross bar 15 to be secured to the mould, as by taper plugs or pins 16 entering flanges 17 on the mold sides, as indicated in Fig. 11. When the division plate 13 is in the mould each end portion of the mould may be charged with concrete to produce the key-block parts la and at having meeting ends corresponding to the angle oi the division plate 13 in the mould. To produce uniformity of appearance in the pointing joints inside 01 a tunnel, which could be done only 'ith the oblique joints between the block parts 4e and lb, the adjacent ends of said parts are made radial for a short distance from their inner surfaces, as indicated at 566 in Fig. 3. This may be done by bending the division plate 13 ot the mould to a radial direction at 1565 at a desired distance from where it abuts against the inside oi a side wall of the mould, as indicated in Fig. 13. Ti lien the cone etc is poured into the mould the oblique angular edges 1, 4", and the radial edge portions 5a, will be produced at the ends of the block parts la and 4 0.

As illustrated in Figs. l, 6, 7, 8 and 1? a tapered recess 5?) is provided along the inner edge of the joint 5 away from the key-block part ll, which adds to the width oi the opening or space into which the part 1- is shoved into position by the erectcr. Said recess provides for the reduction of the obliquity of the joint 5 and the enlargement of the joint be tween the block parts la and 4.7) for the necessary distance inwardly to facilitate entering or filling pointing moi 211 in the joint and locking the mortar in the joint by the inward taper. Said recesses may be formed in the ad 01'' the block part la by attaching a. bar 18 o the appropriate side edge of the dividing plate 18, as in Fig. 14;. ll recess 50 may be provided on the outer part of one of the key-blocks, such as the part ea, to contain means su l1 as gasket 19a, 17-, for excluding gravel paciring or ground from entering the joint before the joint has been grouted or filled up, 7, 8 and 17. The recess may 1 formed by a taching a bar 19 to the division plate 13 along the side edge opposite the bar 18, Fig. 1%. iecesses similar to he and 50 may be formed in all the other joints of a ring for similar purposes. To provide for packing the circumferential joints between rings of the tunnel lining the blocks may have 5 along their outer or upper circumferential corners, and recess 5 along their inner or lower corners, providing open joints, to be filled with pointing or caulking mate 'ial, such as mortar. Also, at

the appropriate ends of the blocks recesses may be provided at 5d (Fig. 7), to be filled with pointiig or caulking material, such as mortar. Bars 40, 11, 4-2 and 13, Figs. 9 and produce recesse. f,

5", 5d and 50, Figs. 6 and 7.

.hei ein lie wedge shaped recesses 20 and 21 will be produced in the respective ends of the block parts and 4b. lVhen the key block parts are in place in a ring the wedge 1 channel or recess 22 will be provided,

as a ke 'way, into which wed es of any desired lon nay be forced, and driven with a follower, \LCSll'QCl, to bring the block parts 4m tlilk -Z) into close relation with the blocks 1 on side thereof, at the same time firmly cl. mping them together. Several relatively short wedge l-zeys may be driven i channel 1.8), or a wedge key '7 length may be driven into the 19). llecesses 20 and 21 d s that the opposite sides or be parallel. lwo opposed .d be used in this keyway to carry n invention.

advantage of a wedge key or keys between a standard block 1 and a standard liey-blocl' 16 may be obtained, as illustrated in 20 to 23. At one end of the standard key-block 1b a transverse channel or keyway is moulded, into which channel a wedge ltey or keys 26 maybe driven, by which means tl andard key block 16 is wedged tightly pl be against the radial joints of the adbloeks. The pressure thusobtained ne wedge or wedges may be communica-eu to some or all of the blocks of the ring, adding to the effect of their weight in b" ging them into close relation, and especially with respect to the interposed shims 27 when sane are used, which is also true of any other kind of shims that might be employed for this purpose.

Projcc'ons 28, suitably placed in the mould, produce recesses 29 in the moulded bloc s to receive rector grippers, in a well known way. Cores 30 and 31 in the mould are provided to make gravel holes 30a and grout holes 31a in the moulded blocks.

Having now described my invention what I claim is:

n. tunnel ring comprising a plurality of substantially similar blocks, and a two-part icy-block, each of said key-block parts having radial outer ends and inclined inner ends.

2. A tunnel ring as set forth in claim 1 having a joint between the two parts of the key-block at their inner ends at an angle oblique to a radius of the ring.

3. A tunnel ring as set forth in claim 1 having a joint between the two parts of the key-block at their inner ends which is radial for a. part of its length and is oblique to said radial part for the remainder of the joint.

4. A tunnel ring having a two-part keyblock provided with a joint between said parts at their inner ends that extends at an angle oblique to a plane lying in the longitudinal axis of said ring and intersecting said joint the outer ends of the key-block parts being radially disposed.

5. A tunnel ring as set forth in claim 4 in which the blocks are provided with recesses at the inside of joints for filling at the inside of the ring.

6. A tunnel ring as set forth in claim A in which the blocks are provided with angularly shaped recesses at the inside of joints for filling at the inside of the ring.

7. A tunnel ring comprising locks having radially disposed outer ends and having joints between adjacent ends of the blocks, said blocks having recesses for filling at the inner portions of said joints.

8. A tunnel ring comprising blocks having radially disposed outer ends and having joints between adjacent ends of the blocks, said blocks having recesses for filling at the outer portions of said joints.

9. A tunnel ringcomprising a plurality of substantially similar blocks, and a two-part key-block, one of said key-block parts having a recess in one end, and a key in said recess to force said key-block parts respectively against adjacent blocks of the ring, the outer ends of the key-block parts being radially di posed. v

10. A tunnel ring as set forth in claim 9 in which the recess is tapering and the key is. wedge shaped. I v

11. A key-block for a tunnel ring having two parts and a joint between adjacent ends thereof, said parts having opposing recesses in the adjacent ends providing a channel, and a key in said channel to force said heyblock parts respectively against adjacent blocks in a ring, the outer ends of the keyblock parts being radially disposed.

12. A tunnel ring comprising a series of substantially similar blocks and a key-bleck,

-' said key-block having a recess at one end, and

a key in said recess to drive the blocks of the ring into close relation, the outer ends of the key-block parts being radially disposed.

13. A tunnel ring as set forth in claim 12 provided with shims between one of the parts of the key-block and one of the first named blocks.

14. A key-block for a tunnel ring comprising two parts having adjacent ends providing a joint between them the outer ends of the key-block part being radially disposed, the outer surface of one key-block part being longer than the outer surface of the other key-block part.

15. A key-block as set forth in claim 14 in which the inner surface of one key-block part is longer than the inner surface of the other key-block part providing adjacent ends between said parts said ends being oblique to a radius of one of said blocks.

16. A concrete-block tunnel lining comprising a plurality of adjacent rings having circumferential joints therebetween, the rings including a plurality of concrete blocks having radially disposed outer ends, some of the joints of said blocks having recesses at the inside portions of the joints to receive filling material.

17. A concrete block tunnel lining comprising a plurality of adjacent rings hav ing circumferential joints therebetween, the rings including a plurality of concrete blocks having radially disposed outer ends, some of the joints of said blocks having recesses at the outside portions of the joints to receive filling material.

18. A concrete block tunnel lining comprising a plurality of adjacent rings having circumferential joints therebetween, the rings including a plurality of concrete blocks having radially disposedouter ends, some of the joints of said blocks having recesses at the inside and the outside portions of said joints to receive filling material.

19. An interlocking concrete block tunnel or conduit lining having rings comprising a plurality of blocks having substantially similar lengths and a key-block, the first named blocks having projections on one side and recesses in the other side in equallyspaced relation to permit the projections of one ring to enter recesses in the blocks on an adjoining ring, the key-block of each ring comprising two parts, the combined length of said two parts being substantially the same as the length of the other blocks of said ring, said key-block parts having radial outer ends and having inclined inner opposing ends, whereby the key-block parts may be moved outward successively in a radial direction between other blocks of the ring to close the ring.

20. An interlocking concrete block tunnel or conduit lining as set forth in claim 19 in which each key-block part has a projection on one side and a recess on the opposite side, said projections and recesses being located in position to cooperate with recesses and projections, respectively, of other blocks of adjacent rings.

JOHN F. OROURKE. 

